Presenting media content to a plurality of remote viewing devices

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for processing and provisioning media content for display on a viewer device are provided. An example method may comprise accessing an advertisement database to obtain a plurality of advertisement media components The advertisement media components may be provided by an advertisement provider that pays to have the advertisement media components accessible. An entertainment database may be accessed to obtain a plurality of entertainment media components, the plurality of entertainment media components being provided by an entertainment provider that receives payment to make the entertainment media components accessible. Thereafter, the entertainment media components may be interspersed between the advertisement media components to provide viewer media content. An award associated with the viewer media content may be selectively allocated and the media content is communicated to at least one viewer device for viewing. A notification may be sent to the viewer device when the award has been awarded.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/477,548,filed on Jun. 3, 2009, which claims the benefit of priority under 35U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/058,367filed Jun. 3, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/101,949, filed Oct. 1, 2008, the benefit of priority of each of whichis claimed hereby, and each of which are incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus and methods forpresenting media content to a plurality of remote viewing devices andprocessing rewards associated with the media content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a media processing andprovisioning system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram a media system, in accordancewith an example embodiment, that may be used in the media processing andprovisioning system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a video stream, in accordance with an example embodiment,which may be generated by the media system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a method, in accordance with an example embodiment, forproviding advertisement and entertainment media components to aplurality of remote viewing devices.

FIG. 5 shows a method, in accordance with an example embodiment, forsharing media content with at least one other user of a remote viewingdevice.

FIG. 6 shows a method, in accordance with an example embodiment, forconfiguring media content to be rendered to one or more interactivedevices for viewing.

FIG. 7 shows an example graphical user interface (GUI), in accordancewith an example embodiment, that may be generated by the media system ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 8 shows a graphical user interface, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for displaying media content to the user.

FIG. 9 shows a graphical user interface, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for sharing advertisement media components and/orentertainment media components with another user.

FIG. 10 shows a method, in accordance with an example embodiment, forapportioning rewards between two or more users.

FIG. 11 shows a graphical user interface, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for presenting a share media invite to another user.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show an interaction diagram, in accordance with anexample embodiment, of communications when the system of FIG. 1 isdeployed in client-server architecture.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic block diagram of a further system, inaccordance with an example embodiment, to present media content to aplurality of viewer devices.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic block diagram of example modules of acomputerized method, in accordance with an example embodiment, forpresenting media content to a plurality of viewer devices.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of a computerized method, in accordance withan example embodiment, for presenting media content to a plurality ofviewer devices and processing awards associated with the media content.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of a further method, in accordance with anexample embodiment, for presenting media content to a plurality ofviewer devices and processing rewards associated with the media content.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of yet a further method, in accordance with anexample embodiment, for presenting media content to a plurality ofviewer devices and processing rewards associated with the media content.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of yet a further method, in accordance with anexample embodiment, for presenting media content to a plurality ofviewer devices and processing rewards associated with the media content.

FIG. 19 shows a computer device, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for performing any one or more of the methodologiesdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In an example embodiment, systems, method and devices to present mediacontent to a plurality of remote viewing devices are described. Themedia content may, for example, include advertisements and entertainmentvideos that have awards associated therewith. Thus, a user may view themedia content on a remote viewing device (e.g., an interactive remotedevice) and may then win an award. In an example embodiment, the awardmay be shared with a charity. Further, a first user may share (e.g.,forward) the media content, or part thereof, with a second user and,optionally, share in any award that the second user may receive. In anexample embodiment, users may negotiate the proportions in which theaward is shared (e.g., 50% to a selected charity, 10% to the first user,and 40% to the second user). In an example embodiment where the mediacontent is shared with multiple users, the first user who initiates themultiple sharing may share in an award received by any one or more ofthe multiple users.

The media content may be video content including an advertisement mediacomponent and an entertainment media component. The advertisement mediacomponent may include an advertisement video work and/or sequence ofstatic images. In an example embodiment, the duration of eachadvertisement media component is longer than the duration of eachentertainment media component. The entertainment media component may bea non-advertisement media component. In an example embodiment, theadvertisement media component corresponds to advertising content from anadvertisement content provider (e.g., an advertising agency) that paysto have the advertising distributed in the system. In contrast, inanother example embodiment, an entertainment content provider need notpay for the entertainment content to be distributed in the system.Further, the entertainment content provider may be paid for theentertainment content.

The term “award” is intended to include any financial benefit, anopportunity to win a financial benefit, monetary or otherwise. Forexample an award may include an entry into a sweepstakes, a monetaryaward (which may, for example, be gifted at least in part to acharitable organization), or the like. In an example embodiment, theuser may win an instant prize (and/or be entered into a sweepstakes) asa result of viewing the media content. For example, when a user finishesviewing an advertisement (or skips ahead to the next advertisement mediacomponent), a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying the media streammay announce a prize. In an example embodiment, a portion of thedisplayed video component may be highlighted and a selection option maybe provided in the GUI to allow a user to claim the prize. For example,the bumper of a car in an advertisement could become highlighted if theuser wins a prize and the user could claim the prize by clicking on thehighlighted bumper. The term “prize” is intended to be interpretedbroadly, and could be money, a product, a service, test driving anautomobile, a vacation, a free airline flight, talking to a celebrity orscreen star, or anything that would be considered desirable to obtain,receive, access or participate in. The type of prize is not limiting onthe example embodiments.

The term “advertisement video work” is intended to include any video,moving picture, or live presentation that provides information about aproduct or service. It may also show the product or service's use orotherwise promote the product or service in some manner. The“advertisement video work” must be capable of being transmittedelectronically. It should be noted that the subject matter or manner ofportrayal or presentation should not be construed as limiting on theexample embodiments described herein. The term “advertisement videowork” includes banner ads shown on only a portion of a display screen.The advertisement video work may, but need not include an audiocomponent. Such advertisement video works may be prerecorded, or in anexample embodiment, could be live feeds from the advertising contentprovider or could be dynamically created on-the-fly and presented to auser (herein also referred to as a viewer) with the authorization of thecontent provider. By way of example, the advertisement video work maycomprise conventional moving picture advertisements, a movie trailer, ashort film where the lead character uses an automobile of a particulartype or wears sunglasses of a particular brand, daily or weeklyspecials, to name but a few. The type of advertisement provided in theadvertisement video work should not be construed as limiting on theexample embodiments described herein.

The term “advertisement sequence of static images” is intended toinclude a sequence of images providing information about a product orservice, or showing its use or otherwise promoting the product orservice in some manner and be capable of being transmittedelectronically. In an example embodiment, the static images may comprisepages of an online magazine. The sequence of static images may bedesigned to advance in response to a viewer's input. Such anadvertisement sequence of static images may be prerecorded, or in anexample embodiment, may be a live feed from the advertising contentprovider or with its authorization or could be dynamically createdon-the-fly and presented to the viewer. Further, it should be noted thatthis term requires that there be a sequence of images, but does notpreclude movement of a figure or other element in one or more portionsof the static image. It may require advancement to the next static imagein the sequence, similar to moving page-by-page in a magazine. In anexample embodiment, buttons or other user input elements may be providedwithin the static images that may be activated or selected or otherwiseinteracted with by the viewer.

The advertisement video work and the sequence of static images mayinclude graphical advertising wherein advertisements to be sent toviewers across the web are designed based on the demographic andgeographic profiles of an individual viewer. The advertisements may, inaddition or instead, be based on search and web browsing behaviors ofthe viewer. In an example embodiment, different templates directed todifferent demographic profiles are selected based on these profiles anda person's viewing history and put together into a coherent video work.Accordingly, in an example embodiment, advertisement video works arecustomized based upon various factors including user profileinformation, technographic information, geographic information,demographic information and user interaction information. Thisinformation may either be stored on the user's computer, one or moreserver computers, or obtained from the user's interaction with a Webpage containing the advertisement. Once information associated with theviewer is obtained, customized advertisement content may be selectedfrom Web server computers and the advertisement may be dynamicallyconstructed and displayed on the viewer's computer.

In an example embodiment, media components may be sent to a viewingdevice in the form of a unicast or broadcast media stream. Theadvertisement media components may be commercials (e.g., one or more 30second commercial) corresponding to paid-for advertising. Theentertainment media components (e.g., one or more non-advertisementmedia components) may be interspersed between the advertisement mediacomponents. In an example embodiment, the cumulative duration of theentertainment media components in the media stream is substantially lessthan the cumulative duration of the advertisement media components. Forexample, a sequence of three 30 second advertisement media componentsmay be followed by a 30 second entertainment media component. Hence, thecumulative duration of the advertisement media components in the givenexample sequence is 90 seconds whereas the duration of the entertainmentmedia component is 30 seconds. In an example embodiment, one or moreentertainment media components may be randomly interspersed for 2minutes or less after no more than 6 continuous advertisement mediacomponents are provided. The entertainment media components may be atregular or irregular intervals in a media stream providing the mediacontent. In an example embodiment entertainment media components may besponsored by advertisers who may get a “presentation credit” (audioand/or textual) like a movie studio (e.g., BMW presents . . . ) that mayinclude the same kind of introduction that the studios do before thebeginning of a movie sequence.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference 50 generally indicates a media processingand provisioning system in accordance with an example embodiment. Thesystem 50 is shown, by way of example, to include a plurality of viewingdevices in the form of interactive devices 52 that are networked via acommunication network 54 to a media system 100. The media system 100,also in accordance with an example embodiment, may be configured toprovide media content and, as mentioned above, the media content mayinclude advertisement media components and entertainment mediacomponents. The advertisement media components may be advertisementvideo works and the entertainment media components may be entertainmentvideos that may be selectively viewed on any one or more of theinteractive devices 52. The communication network 54 may, for example,be the Internet and, accordingly, each interactive device 52 may includeappropriate browsing software to communicate with the media system 100.In an example embodiment, awards may be awarded to a viewer viewing theadvertisement videos and the entertainment videos.

The interactive devices 52 include, but are not limited to, a pluralityof personal computers (PCs) 56.1-56.m a plurality of set-top boxes(STBs) 58.1-58.n, a plurality of gaming consoles 60.1-60.p, a pluralityof mobile phones 62.1-62.q, and other interactive and/or viewing devices64. As described in more detail below, each interactive device 52 mayinclude a display for displaying media content and a user interface toreceive user inputs from a viewer. In the systems and methods describedby way of example herein, the term “interactive device” and “viewerdevice” may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the media system 100. As the media system100 may be deployed in the system 50 of FIG. 1, and is described by wayof example with reference thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the media content may be stored in a plurality ofdatabases 102 which are accessible to, or may form part of, the mediasystem 100. For example, the media databases 102 may include anadvertisement database 104 in which a plurality of advertisement mediacomponents are stored, an entertainment database 106 in which aplurality of entertainment media components are stored, and a managementdatabase 108 in which, inter alia, system management data is stored. Itshould be appreciated that the databases 104-108 may be combined into asingle database or any number of separate databases and are shown merelyby way of example as three databases in FIG. 2. Further, one or more ofthe databases 104-108 may be locally provided and/or remotely provided.

The advertisement database 104 may include advertising material providedby advertisers or any other media publisher. In an example embodiment,the advertisement media components are videos that one or moreadvertisers have paid to host on the system 50. In an exampleembodiment, the entertainment media components provided in theentertainment database 106 may be contrasted to the advertisement mediacomponents in that they are not paid for by the provider of theentertainment media. In an example embodiment, providers of theentertainment media components may be paid in order to host theirentertainment videos on the system 50. The management database 108 mayinclude various tables and management data used by the media system 100.As described in more detail below, the management database 108 mayinclude user password details, logon details, other user information,records of awards that have been awarded by the media system 100 tousers, or the like.

The media system 100 may, for example, comprise one or more servers thatare networked to the communication network 54. As shown by way ofexample in FIG. 2, the media system 100 includes a communication module110 to interface the media system 100 to the communication network 54, asocial networking module 112 that includes one or more software modulesto allow social network communications between a plurality of users ofthe system 50, an entertainment/advertisement apportionment module 114,an award allocation module 116, an award processing module 118, and auser management module 120.

The entertainment/advertisement apportionment module 114 may apportion atime duration or percentage of advertisement media components providedto the user as opposed to a time duration or percentage of entertainmentmedia components provided to the user. In an example embodiment, theentertainment/advertisement apportionment module 114 obtainsadvertisement media components from the advertisement database 104 andentertainment media components from the entertainment database 106. Asdescribed in more detail below, in an example embodiment, a user may,utilizing a graphical user interface, to define or select the durationor apportionment between advertisement media components andentertainment media components. In an example embodiment, theentertainment/advertisement apportionment module 114 may includealgorithms to select advertisement media components and/or entertainmentmedia components, arranged the media components based on rules and/oralgorithms, and perform other related functionality.

The award allocation module 116 may include one or more algorithms forallocating rewards to a user viewing a stream of advertisement mediacomponents that are interspersed with entertainment media components. Itis to be noted that awards may be allocated at different time periods(e.g., before a viewing session, during a viewing session, and after aviewing session). The social networking module 112 may allow a user torecommend advertisement and/or entertainment media components to one ormore other users forming part of a viewer's social network. In anexample embodiment, the award processing modules records and managesawards and updates management data stored in the management database108. The user management module 120 may perform general managementfunctionality. One or more of the modules 110-120 may be combined and,optionally, provided by software being executed on a computer.

In an example embodiment, the media system 100 may include trackingfunctionality. For example a tracking module (e.g., that may form partof the user management module 120) may be provided. The tracking modulemay track media components (e.g., advertisement and/or media components)sent to the interactive devices 52, what media components are viewed byeach viewer, awards allocated, demographics of the users, selections ofentertainment and/or advertisement categories (e.g., made by a user),and any other aspects of the media system 100. Data derived from thetracking functionality may be used to determine remuneration provided toan entertainment media component provider, a cost to an advertiser topresent advertisement media components via the system 50, or the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example video stream 130, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, which may be generated by the media system 100 andcommunicated via the communication network 54 to one or more of theinteractive devices 52 (or any other display device). The video stream130 is shown to include a plurality of advertisement media components132 which may be sourced from the advertisement database 104, and aplurality of entertainment media components 134 which may be sourcedfrom the entertainment database 106. In the example video stream 130,advertisement media components 132 and entertainment media components134 are shown to alternate. However, it will be appreciated that anycombination or arrangement of advertisement media components 132 andentertainment media components 134, in any sequence, may be provided inthe video stream 130. For example, two or more advertisement mediacomponents 132 may follow sequentially, followed by a singleentertainment media component, followed by any number of advertisementmedia components 132 thereafter. As described in more detail below, inan example embodiment, a user may define a ratio of advertisement mediacomponents 132 to entertainment media components 134 in a video streamprovided to the viewer.

As shown in FIG. 3, in an example embodiment the advertisement mediacomponents 132 have a longer duration than entertainment mediacomponents 134. Accordingly, the advertising media components 132 have aduration t_(AD) 136 that is longer than a duration t_(E) 138 of theentertainment media components 134. It will, however, be appreciatedthat the duration t_(AD) 136 of the advertisement media components 132may vary from one media stream to another media stream and may also varyin duration in a particular video stream 130. Likewise, the durationt_(E) 138 of the entertainment media components 134 may vary in aparticular media stream or from one media stream to the next. In theexample video stream 130 the advertisement media components 132 areshown merely by way of example to dominate the media content of thevideo stream 130.

FIG. 4 shows a method 150, in accordance with an example embodiment, forproviding advertisement and entertainment media components to aplurality of remote viewing devices. The method 150 may be performed bythe media system 100 and, accordingly, is described by way of examplewith reference thereto.

The method 150 may include accessing an advertisement database to obtaina plurality of advertisement media components wherein the advertisementmedia components are provided by an advertisement provider that pays tohave the plurality of advertisement media components accessible (seeblock 152). Thereafter, an entertainment database may be accessed toobtain a plurality of entertainment media components (see block 154).The plurality of entertainment media components is provided by anentertainment provider that receives payment (or any other compensation)to make the entertainment media components accessible. In an exampleembodiment, the method 150 may access the advertisement database 104 toobtain advertisement media components 132 and access the entertainmentdatabase 106 to obtain entertainment media components 134.

As shown at block 156, the entertainment media components may beinterspersed between the advertisement media components to provideviewer media content. An award may then be associated with the viewermedia content and the viewer media content may then be communicated tothe viewer device (see block 158). A notification may then becommunicated to the viewer device when the award has been awarded (seeblock 160).

FIG. 5 shows a method 170, in accordance with an example embodiment, forsharing media content with at least one other user of a remote viewerdevice. The method 170 may be performed by the media system 100 and,accordingly, is described by way of example with reference thereto.

The method 170 may comprise accessing an advertisement database (e.g.,the advertisement database 104) to obtain a plurality of advertisementmedia components and accessing an entertainment database (e.g., theentertainment database 106) to obtain a plurality of entertainment mediacomponents (see block 172). Thereafter, as shown at block 174, theentertainment media components may be interspersed between theadvertisement media components to provide viewer media content that maythen be communicated to a first user. The method 170 may then monitor arequest from the first user to share at least one advertisement mediacomponent or art least one entertainment media component with a seconduser (see block 176). An award associated with the shared media contentmay selectively (e.g., based on an award algorithm) be allocated orawarded when the shared media content is viewed by the second user (seeblock 178). As shown at block 180, the award may be selectivelyapportioned between the first user and the second user.

FIG. 6 shows a method 190, in accordance with an example embodiment, forconfiguring media content to be rendered to one or more interactivedevices 52 for viewing. The method 190 may be performed by the mediasystem 100 and, accordingly, is described by way of example withreference thereto.

As shown at block 192, a user may select an entertainment category forviewing. For example, an entertainment category may be best moments insports, best kisses from movies, most expensive homes in the world, orany other entertainment media. Thereafter, as shown at block 194, theuser may optionally select an apportionment between advertisement mediacomponents and entertainment media components. For example, in the videostream 130 shown in FIG. 3, the apportionment between advertisementmedia components 132 and the entertainment media components 134 is shownby way of example to be in the ratio of 1:1. It is, however, to beappreciated that any ratio may be selected by the user. Further, theuser may optionally select the duration of the entertainment mediacomponents. Referring again by way of example to FIG. 3, in the videostream 130 the duration t_(AD) 136 of the advertisement media components132 is shown to be longer than the duration or t_(E) 138 of theentertainment media components 134. However, in an example embodiment,the user may select the duration t_(AD) 136 of the advertisement mediacomponents 132 to be the same as the duration t_(E) 138 of theentertainment media components 134, may select the duration t_(E) 138 ofthe entertainment media components 134 to be longer than the durationt_(AD) 136 of the advertisement media components 132, or any otherdesired ratio (see block 196).

Optionally, as shown at block 198, the user may navigate forward orbackwards in media content being viewed using navigation buttons. Thus,in an example embodiment, the user may skip one or more of theadvertisement media components 132 and/or the entertainment mediacomponents 134. In an example embodiment, limitations may be placed onhow many advertisement media components 132 a user may skip during agiven viewing session. Further, in an example embodiment, advertisementmedia components 132 that are skipped by the user may be presented againto the user during the same or a subsequent viewing session.

FIG. 7 shows an example graphical user interface (GUI) 200, inaccordance with an example embodiment, that may be generated by themedia system 100 (see FIG. 2). The media system 100 may then communicateor render the GUI 200 to one or more of the interactive devices 52 viathe communication network 54. It should be appreciated that the systems,methods and devices described herein may be configured in aclient-server relationship or a peer-to-peer network relationship, orany other configuration.

The GUI 200 is shown to include a display area 202 allowing a user tochoose an entertainment category. Should a user require moreinformation, the user may click a “MORE INFO?” button 203 that mayprovide further details or information. Adjacent to the display area 202is a plurality of entertainment options 204.1-204.i. The user may select(e.g., click using a pointing device) one or more of the entertainmentcategories 204.1-204.i to select entertainment of interest to the user.This selection may then be communicated to the media system 100 and, inresponse thereto, the media system 100 may identify entertainment mediacomponents stored in the entertainment database 106 for communication tothe user. In the example GUI 200, the entertainment category 204.1 isshown to correspond to best moments in sports, the entertainmentcategory 204.2 is shown to correspond to best kisses from movies, andthe entertainment category 204.i is shown to correspond to the mostexpensive homes in the world. In an example embodiment, when a userselects the entertainment category 204.1 associated video clips from theentertainment database 106 may be interspersed with advertisement mediacomponents from the advertisement database 104. In this way, a user maydefine or select the entertainment videos to be viewed. In an exampleembodiment, the media system 100 may record and process entertainmentselections that a user has made. For example, the user management module120 may record and process information about the entertainmentselections and, optionally, advertisement media components may beselected from the advertisement database 108 based on this information.

In an example embodiment, the multiple entertainment options 204.1-204.imay be selected by a user and arranged in a “play list” of 50-100categories. The selected entertainment categories 204 may appear inrotation. Thus, various display techniques may be used to allow the GUI200 to facilitate selections of one or more entertainment categoriesfrom a substantial number of entertainment categories that may notreadily be displayed on a relatively small display. In an exampleembodiment, the media system 100 may automatically select theentertainment media component for the user, for example, based ondemographics and/or a user profile. In an example embodiment, a GUI maybe provided (or the GUI 200 may be modified) to allow user to selectadvertising media components in a similar manner in which the user canselect entertainment media components. Thus, an advertising mediacategory may be provided that is similar to the entertainment category204.

In an example embodiment, the GUI 200 includes a search facility 206that allows a user to search for entertainment media components (e.g.,entertainment videos). For example, the user may type key words into asearch field 208 and thereafter select a “GO” button 210 to initiate thesearch. The media system 100 may then generate a GUI (e.g., new webpage, pop-up or any other display) providing the search results.

The GUI 200 is also shown to include a display area 212 that allows auser to choose an apportionment between advertisements and entertainmentvideos. In the example GUI 200, four radio buttons 214.1-214.4 areprovided to allow user selections. When the user selects radio button214.1 the ratio of advertisements (ADS) to entertainment videos (EVs)provided to the user is 5:1, when the user selects the radio button214.2 the ratio of advertisements to entertainment videos is 4:2, and soon. The GUI 200 may provide user selection to theentertainment/advertisement apportionment module 114 of the media system100. The video stream 130 shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of a mediastream generated by the media system 100 when the user has selected a1:1 ratio (not shown in the GUI 200) of advertisement videos toentertainment videos.

In a display area 216 of the GUI 200, the user may choose the durationof the entertainment videos. For example, the GUI 200 includes radiobuttons 218.1-218.3 to allow the user to select the duration of theentertainment videos. If the user selects the radio button 218.1, thelength of each entertainment video may be less than one minute. Thus,the media system 100 and, in particular the entertainment/advertisementapportionment module 114 may receive user input from the GUI 200 toconfigure a video stream for communication to one or more of theinteractive devices 52 comprising a plurality of advertisement mediacomponents interspersed with a plurality of entertainment mediacomponents. An example of such a video stream in shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in display area 220, once the user has defined or configuredthe video stream that he or she would like to receive, streaming of thevideo stream may be initiated by selecting a “START WATCHING” button222. In response thereto, the media system 100 may generate a new GUI asdescribed in more detail below.

FIG. 8 shows a GUI 250, in accordance with an example embodiment, fordisplaying media content to the user. The GUI 250 may be generated bythe media system 100 and rendered on the interactive devices 52 and,accordingly, is described by way of example with reference thereto.

The GUI 250 includes a display area 252, a display area 254 listing theuser's friends forming part of his or her social network, an awardindicator 256, navigation buttons 258, a share button 260, and aplurality of display zones 262 that display the advertisemententertainment media components rendered by the media system 100.Associated with each media component 262, is a “VIEW LATER” button 264which, when selected by the user delays rendering of the media componentuntil a later date or time. For example, when the user selects one ormore of the “VIEW LATER” buttons 264, the media system 100 may log theselection (e.g. in the management database 180) and provide the mediacomponents that have been skipped at a later time or date to the user.The GUI 250 may display the name (e.g., Keith) of the user logged intothe system 50.

As mentioned above, the ratio of advertisement media components toentertainment media components is not limited to a 1:1, 2:1, etc. andthe entertainment media components may be interspersed at any point in avideo stream between the advertisement media components. For example, inthe GUI 250 the media system 100 is shown to have generated twoadvertisement media components 262.1 and 262.2 followed by a singleentertainment video component 262.3, followed by an advertisement mediacomponent 262.4, followed by an entertainment media component 262.5,followed by an advertisement media component 262.6. In this example, theuser is shown to have selected both “BEST MOMENTS IN SPORTS” and “MOSTEXPENSIVE HOMES IN THE WORLD” categories using the GUI 200 (see FIG. 7).

The navigation buttons 258 are shown to include a “BACK” button 258.1that allows a user to jump back to the beginning of an advertisementmedia component and/or an entertainment media component, a pause (II)button 258.2 that allows the user to pause rendering of the mediacomponents in the display area 252, a play (>) button 258.3 toinitialize rendering of the media components in the display area 252 orresume rendering of the display of the media components after a pause, astop button 258.4 and a “SKIP” button 258.5. The stop button 258.4 maystop viewing of media components and the SKIP button 258.5 allows a userto skip to the end of an advertisement and/or entertainment mediacomponent.

Circumstances may arise in which a user does not complete viewing avideo stream that has been generated by the media system 100. In anexample embodiment, the media system 100 may record a point in a mediastream when a specific user terminates viewing of the media content.When the specific user later logs back onto the website, the user may bepresented with media content starting from the point where viewing wasterminated. Thus, in an example embodiment, where a user has selectedone or more entertainment categories 204, and media content includingthe entertainment and advertisement media components has been generatedby the media system 100, the media content may be delivered to the userin a plurality of viewing sessions. The user may, however, be providedwith an option to resume viewing of the previous media content or selectnew media content (e.g., using the GUI 200 shown in FIG. 7).

As mentioned above, the user may be randomly or otherwise rewarded forviewing the video streams generated by the media system 100. Forexample, the award allocation module 116 of the media system 100 mayrandomly award an entry into a sweepstakes where the user may win aprize. In addition or instead, the award allocation module 116 may awardother awards to the user for viewing the video stream. In an exampleembodiment, the user may share or communicate with another user in hisor her social network and recommend viewing of the media content (e.g.,the advertisement and/or entertainment media components). In the GUI250, this may be accomplished by the selecting the “SHARE” button 260which, in turn, may result in the media system 100 providing a furtheruser interface allowing a user to select one or more users in his or hersocial network to share the media content with. An example of such auser interface is shown in FIG. 9.

Reference 270 generally indicates a GUI, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for sharing advertisement and/or entertainment mediacomponents with another user. The GUI 270 is shown to include a list ofmembers of a user's social network (“MY SOCIAL NETWORK”) 272 including aradio button 274 associated with each member of the user's socialnetwork. For example, a radio button 274.1 is associated with friend“MIKE”, a radio button 274.2 is associated with friend “GARTH”, a radio274.3 is associated with “SARAH”, and a radio button 274.4 is associatedwith “KELLY”. The user may then select one or more of his friends usingthe radio buttons 274 to share the media content with his friends.

If the user decides to share the media content with one or more otherusers who are not currently in the user's friends list, an emailaddresses may be provided in an email address field 276. A “NOTES” field278 is provided by the GUI 270 to allow the user to write a note to theone or more persons he wishes to share the media content with. In anexample embodiment, the NOTES field 278 may include a message templatethat the user may then edit and modify to facilitate communicating withfriends in his friends list.

In an example embodiment, when the user shares the advertisement and/orentertainment media components with one or more friends in his socialnetwork, any award that the friend may receive for watching the mediacomponents may be apportioned. For example, as shown in display area280, the awards may be apportioned between the user using a dropdownmenu 282, the friend with which the media is being shared using adropdown menu 284 and, optionally, a charity using a dropdown menu 286.In an example embodiment, a charity may be selected using a charitydropdown menu 288. In the GUI 270 20% of any award that may be awardedis credited to the user (“ME”), 40% is credited to the person who theuser has shared the media content with (“YOU”), and 40% is credited to acharity (“CHARITY”). The aforementioned percentages may thus defineapportionment data used to apportion any awards that might be won. Theapportionment data may be stored in the management database 108 andprocessed by the user management module 120, the award processingmodule, and/or any other module of the media system 100.

FIG. 10 shows a method 300, in accordance with an example embodiment,for apportioning rewards between two or more users. The method 300 mayuse the GUI 270 and, accordingly, is described by way of example withreference thereto.

As shown at block 302, the method 300 may receive an acceptancecommunication and apportionment data and, for example, store the data inthe management database 108. For example, this data may correspond tothe apportionment of the rewards as shown in the apportionment displayarea 280 (see FIG. 9). Thereafter, the method 300 may monitor if areferee (a user with which another user has shared media content) winsan award as shown at block 304. If the referee wins an award, the awardmay then be apportioned (see block 306) based on the apportionment data(e.g., stored in the management database 108).

FIG. 11 shows a GUI 310, in accordance with an example embodiment, forpresenting a share media invite to another user or referee. The GUI 310includes a display area 312 identifying a sender of the invite (“KEITH”)and a display area 314 to display a note from the user sending the mediacontent (see also display area 278 in FIG. 9). In a display area 316,the particular apportionment of awards that the sending user (KEITH) hasselected is displayed to the referee (“MIKE”). If the referee agrees tothe apportionment of the awards, he may select an “ACCEPT” button 318whereupon the media system 100 updates the management database 108 tostore the apportionment data. However, in an example embodiment, thereferee may negotiate a different apportionment of any awards that he orshe might win. For example, the GUI 310 includes a dropdown menu 320 toselect a percentage that the referee (MIKE) gets if an award is won, adropdown menu 322 to adjust a portion that the referrer (KEITH) may get,and a dropdown menu 324 which may be awarded to a charity. It should beappreciated that any value between 0% and 100% may be apportioned to anyone or more of the potential recipients but that the sum ofapportionments of the award add up to 100%. In order to communicate anew proposal to the user sharing the media, a “NEW PROPOSAL” button 326may be activated. In an example embodiment, the user may not be allowedto send a 50/50 proposal to a non-registered user.

It will be appreciated that multiple iterations or communicationsbetween the user sharing the media content and the recipient of theshare media invite may take place before an agreement is reached as tothe proportions in which any awards are to be shared. When media contentis shared between multiple share media invite recipients, differentsharing arrangements may be proposed or negotiated between the usersending the invite and each recipient of an invite.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show an interaction diagram 350, in accordance with anexample embodiment, of communications when the system 50 is deployed inclient-server architecture. The interaction diagram 350 is shown toinclude interactions between a media server 352 (e.g., corresponding tothe media system 100) and a plurality of interactive devices 354.1-354.n(e.g., corresponding to the interactive devices 52 of FIG. 1).Communications in the interaction diagram 350 may correspond tocommunications generated by the method 300 and, accordingly aredescribed by way of example with reference thereto.

FIG. 12A shows example interactions between the media server 352 and afirst interactive device 354.1 associated with a first user. As shown bycommunication 340, the first user may log on to the media server 352using the first interactive device 354.1. For example, the media server352 may include a user management module substantially similar to theuser management module 120 (see FIG. 2) that manages user logons, useraccount details, or the like and accesses and updates data in themanagement database 108. Thereafter, as shown at operation 342, themedia server 352 may make an award determination for a viewing session.For example, the media server 352 may include an awards allocationmodule substantially similar to the awards allocation module 116 shownin FIG. 2. Thereafter, as shown by communication 344, media content maybe communicated via a communication network (e.g., the communicationnetwork 54 shown in FIG. 1) to the first interactive device 354.1. Asshown by communication 346, the media server 352 may optionally monitoruser interaction using, for example, the GUI 250 shown in FIG. 8.

If an award is awarded to the viewer of the media content, and theviewer accepts the award (see operation 347), such acceptance may thenbe communicated from the first interactive device 354.1 to the mediaserver 352 as shown by communication 348. If the first user selects toshare the media content with one or more other users, an appropriatecommunication 349 (e.g., an email message, an instant message (IM) orthe like) may be forwarded to a second user a second interactive device354.2. The communication 349 may be forwarded directly to the secondinteractive device 354.2 (e.g., via the Internet and not via the mediaserver 352) or forwarded indirectly to the second interactive device354.2 via the media server 352. In an example embodiment, the mediaserver may then update management data in a management database. Forexample the media sever 352 may record the fact that the first userforwarded the media content to the second user. In an exampleembodiment, the media content is shared by sending a hyperlink so thatthe transfer of large media files in the communication can be avoided.

As described by way of example above, any award that a recipient ofshared media may receive may optionally be negotiated. Single ormultiple communications may take place between the first user and thesecond user until an agreement on an apportionment of any awardsreceived by the second user is reached (see communication 356). In anexample embodiment, the GUI 270 (see FIG. 9) and the GUI 310 (see FIG.11) may be used to negotiate the apportionment of any awards. As shownby communication 358, once the users have agreed to an apportionment ofthe awards, the media server 352 may be updated to store theapportionment data. For example, the media server 352 may update amanagement database similar to the management database 108 shown in FIG.2.

The second user may log on (see communication 359) to the media server352 and proceed to view the shared media content using, for example, aninterface such as the GUI 250 (see FIG. 8). The media server 352 maythen, as shown by operation 360 make an award determination based on anaward algorithm. The award determination may include providing one ormore awards to the second user viewing the shared media content. Forexample, the media server 352 may include an award allocation modulesubstantially similar to the award allocation module 116 shown in FIG.2. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the award determinationis shown to be determined by the media server 352 prior to the seconduser receiving the media content. Accordingly, in an example embodiment,the media stream is communicated to the second user after the awarddetermination has been made (see communication 362). In an exampleembodiment, user interaction with the second interactive device 354.2(e.g., using the GUI 250) is monitored during viewing of the sharedmedia content as shown by communication 364.

If the second user receives an award, an option may be provided to thesecond user to select or reject the award as shown by operation 366. Ifthe second user accepts the award, the acceptance is communicated to themedia server 352 as shown by communication 368. The media server 352 maythen process the apportionment of the award by operation 370 based onthe negotiated apportionment (see communications 356). For example, themedia server 352 may include an award processing module similar to theaward processing module 118 shown in FIG. 2. During processing of theaward, data in the management database 108 may be updated to reflect newor updated balances/credits.

As mentioned above, awards may be monetary or otherwise. For example, auser viewing a media stream may receive one or more instant prizespredetermined by the media system 100 (e.g., using the award allocationmodule 116) that are awarded after the user has viewed an advertisementmedia component. Additionally or instead, the user viewing theadvertisement media components may be entered into a sweepstakes thatmay be held at various preset times (e.g., once a week, month, etc. . .. ). However, the user may not necessarily receive an award afterviewing an advertisement and/or entertainment media component.

In an example embodiment, viewing of advertisement media components thatare streamed to a viewer device (e.g., one or more of the interactivedevices 52 and 352) may be monitored. For example, the media system 100may require a user to provide a user input (e.g., a mouse click when theinteractive device is a computer) to confirm the user's attention to theadvertisement media component. In an example embodiment, the mediasystem 100 is configured to require the user to provide a user inputduring different intervals while watching an advertisement mediacomponent (e.g., at about 5 seconds, 10 seconds, the end of theadvertisement media component, or the like). An on screen notificationmay be provided to prompt the user to provide the user input oracknowledgement.

In an example embodiment, one or more advertisement media components mayinclude subtle messages or markings within an advertisement. A viewerpaying careful attention to the advertisement, and thus noticing themessage, may then respond to the message and receive an award. Forexample, the text “win” may be provided on a bumper of a BMW motorvehicle shown in an advertisement and an observant user may click on thetext and claim an award.

A user may be provided with an option to request more information froman advertiser providing a particular advertisement media component. Inan example embodiment, the user may be directed to an advertiser'swebsite or an informational website hosted by the system 50. Thesewebsites may then provide additional information on a product orservice, and possibly win a prize while seeking this additionalinformation.

In an example embodiment, links to an online store or virtual shoppingcenter are provided where advertisers offer special discounts availablespecifically to users of the system 50. Advertisers and/or the system 50may match some awards by giving a percentage of the award to a user,multiple users sharing content, one or more charities, or the like.

In an example embodiment the media system 100 includes a review orfeedback module to receive and process feedback from a user viewing themedia content. For example, in an example embodiment the media system100 generates a GUI that allows a user to volunteer as a member of afocus group where advertisers ask questions and/or seek comments on anadvertisement, product, and/or service. Awards specifically forparticipating in a feedback session may be allocated.

In an example embodiment, in order to receive an award a user isrequired to register with the media system 100. Thus, the usermanagement module 120 may be configured to generate appropriate GUIs toallow user registration and manage user data and, optionally, userprofile information in the management database 108. User data that maybe obtained from a user during registration may include name, email, ageand/or gender.

The award allocation module 116 may include one or more algorithms forallocating awards to users. Data used to generate the award and itsvalue may be stored in the management database 108. In an exampleembodiment, the odds of receiving an award remain set to be no more thanone tenth of one percent chance of winning for viewing a set period oftime (e.g., 3 minutes). Additionally or instead, the odds of receivingan award may remain set for a predetermined number of logon instances.

Awards include fantasy prizes (e.g., play tennis with Andre Agassi),frequent flyer miles, win a part in a Hollywood movie (e.g., the nextAngelina Jolie movie), be a guest host on a television program (e.g.,American Idol) to name but a few.

In an example embodiment, an award may be allocated to a viewing sessionirrespective if a user skips and advertisement media component (e.g.,see navigation buttons 258 shown in FIG. 8). Thus, the odds of a userwinning an award may not change if the user skips one or moreadvertisement media components. However, an award may be allocated to aspecific advertisement media component and the user may only receive theaward if the user views (e.g., in its entirety) the specificadvertisement media component.

In an example embodiment, the media system 100 may publish (e.g., via awebsite hosting the media system 100) awards that have been won byusers. For example, the website may provide information of a totalmonetary value awarded to multiple users during a predetermined timeperiod (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly). Details of individual awards mayalso be provided. Each user may have a customized “home page” thatdisplays their awards and any other personalized information.

In an example embodiment, the system 100 is configured to provide a userinterface to enable one user to upload and send media (e.g., audio,photographs and/or personalized video) to another user (e.g., anotheruser in his or her social network). The media system 100 may generate aweb interface that allows the recipient of the media to download themedia or reject the media.

The media system 100 may limit the number of advertisement mediacomponents shared with any one or more other users. For example, usermanagement module 120 may analyze incoming invites to media share andfilter out invites from different users (or the same user) that relateto the same (or similar) media content that the user has previousreceived and/or viewed. The media system 100 may send a notification tothe sender of the invite informing the sender that the recipient hasalready viewed the media content. In an example embodiment, the mediasystem 100 provides a user interface that allows a recipient of sharedmedia to block further shared media invites from one or more users.

In an example embodiment, a registered user (or member) may send anadvertisement media component to a non-registered user (non-member) ifthey apportion the ward in such a manner that they do not receive anyportion of the reward. For example, the user sharing the media contentmay apportion the award in such a manner so that 50% goes to a charityand 50% goes to the user with which the award is shared. In an exampleembodiment, a registered user (member) is precluded from receivingshared media from a non-registered user (non-member).

The media system 100 may be configured so that a user sending anadvertisement media component may select to receive nothing. In theseexample circumstances, the award may be apportioned so that 50% goes toa charity and 50% goes to the recipient. If the recipient wins an award,the user sending the shared media invite may be awarded a “fantasyprize”. Example of fantasy prizes includes an opportunity to play tenniswith Andre Agassi.

Corporations and corporate executives may be provided an advertisingopportunity by the media system 100. For example, corporation names maybe listed in a charity section where various charities are listed. In anexample embodiment, the corporations will have a minimum amount thatthey will have to contribute to a charity to be listed.

In an example embodiment, the media system 100 facilitates a feedbackprocess where recipients of awards are able to post comments on what theaward (large or small) meant to them. For example, the recipient of theaward may post that they used a monetary award to pay a portion of theirmortgage, credit card bill, other loans, that they contributed to apersons college fund, helped a sick friend, etc.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a further system 400, inaccordance with an example embodiment, to present media content to aplurality of viewer devices. In an example embodiment, the viewerdevices may substantially resemble the interactive devices 52 and 354.The system 400 may electronically provide a visual presentation thatfacilitates a playing of at least one from a plurality of advertisementvideo works or a sequence of static images during a communicationsession with a person via viewer devices 406 and 408. The viewer devices406 and 408 may comprise, in an example embodiment, an electroniccommunication input, an electronic communication output and a computercoupled to the electronic communication input and to the electroniccommunication output, and configured to perform the electronic processesof the example embodiments.

The visual presentation facilitated by the computer system 400 may beprovided electronically via one or more electronic networks 410 and 412.The visual presentation may be provided by hosting one or morecustomized pages on a website or other Internet communication, via atelephone connection to a screen on the telephone, via a televisionnetwork to a television, or via interactive television, to name but afew. It should be noted that any electronic communication network may beused to provide the visual presentation to the viewer devices 406 and408. The visual presentation may be live, prerecorded, time shifted, orthe like.

The advertisement video works or sequences of static images (e.g.,advertisement media components 132 shown by way of example in FIG. 3)may be obtained via electronic links with one or more advertisers 402.Alternatively, these advertisement video works or a sequence of staticimages may be contained on electronic media and mailed or otherwiseprovided manually to the system 400. For example, the system 400 maycomprise several databases (e.g., the databases 102 shown by way ofexample in FIG. 2).

Additionally, entertainment sessions, such as entertainment videos orlive feeds, or a sequence of static images (e.g., see entertainmentmedia components 134 shown by way of example in FIG. 3) may be obtainedvia electronic links with one or more entertainment sources 404 and maybe interspersed or played at the same time as the advertisement videoworks or a sequence of static images. Such entertainment sessions may beprerecorded videos, or in an example embodiment, could be live feedsfrom the entertainment sources 404. Alternatively, these advertisementvideo works or a sequence of static images may be contained onelectronic media and mailed or otherwise provided manually to the system400. Entertainment videos may comprise movie or television clips, accessto fantasy sports or other fantasy games, live or recorded sports games,to name but a few. An example of an entertainment session that may beperformed at the same time as an advertising session comprises banneradvertisements displayed on a screen of a viewer device at the same timeas the display of the entertainment session. These banner advertisementsmay be static, and would be viewed static image by static image, orcould be a moving picture video work (e.g., an Adobe Flash™ movie).

Additionally, the system 400 may receive membership lists, member data,and live visual feeds from one or more third party organizations 414. Byway of example, such third party organizations may comprise bridgeclubs, sports clubs, chess clubs, garden clubs, travel clubs, fantasysports or game clubs, to name but a few. Live feeds or prerecordedvideos from such third party organizations may be interspersed with orplayed at the same time as the media content, but in a different segmentof the screen. In an example embodiment, the user management module 120may manage the membership list and membership data may be stored in themanagement database 108.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic block diagram of example processes of acomputerized method, in accordance with an example embodiment, forpresenting media content to a plurality of viewer devices. The exampleprocesses may be used to implement any one or more of the exampleembodiments described herein and may be executed by one or morecomputers 420.

The computer 420 is shown to include a communications module 428 tocommunicate with an advertisement database 422 (which may besubstantially similar to the advertisement database 104), anentertainment database 424 (which may be substantially similar to theentertainment database 1064), and a viewer database 426 (which may besubstantially similar to the management database 108). Further, thecomputer 420 is shown by way of example to execute a viewer identifierprocess 430, a second signal monitor process 432, an advertisementselector/rotator process 434, a sweepstakes entry award process 436, aprize award notification process 438, an entertainment selector process440, and a video initiator/sequencer/terminator controller 442. Thesevarious processes may perform the methods, or parts of the methodsdescribed herein.

The viewer identifier process 430 may identify a viewer based on atleast one criterion, such as an IP address. This viewer identifierprocess 430 may be initiated by a user log-on to a website hosted by thecomputer 420 or may be initiated by the user sending a signal indicatingthat the he or she wishes to view an advertisement media component(e.g., described below in block 504 in the method 500 shown in FIG. 16).This process may include the use of links to other servers to obtainviewer identification data. The viewer identifier process 430 mayinclude a viewer registration module for obtaining data about the viewerand, for example, form part of the user management module 120 shown inFIG. 2.

The second signal monitor process 432 may receive and process one ormore second signals from a given user. The processing may comprisecounting the received second signals as the advertisement mediacomponent is played or determining if a second signal was receivedcontemporaneous with the end of the advertisement media component (e.g.,described below in block 508 in the method 500).

The advertisement selector/rotator process 434 may select advertisementmedia components which are then communicated to the interactive device52 for viewing by the user viewer based on one or more criteria (e.g.,criteria mentioned herein). The sweepstakes entry award process 436 mayaward one or more sweepstakes entries based on the one or more firstcriteria.

The prize award notification process 438 may provide a notification ofthe award of a prize based on a second criterion. This prize awardnotification process 438 may also be used to facilitate the actual awardof the prize. Such facilitation may comprise sending an electroniccommunication to initiate the transfer of money to a designated account,sending an electronic communication to an advertising company to send ormake available a prize, to name but a few. In an example embodimentprize award notification process 438 may be performed by the awardprocessing module 118.

The entertainment session selector process 440 may select one or moreentertainment media components to be interspersed with, or played at thesame time as the advertisement media components. This selector process440 may be based on one or more criteria, such as the timing of thecommunication session, the number of the communication sessions within agiven period, the demographics of the user, or a received signal fromthe viewer representing a choice or preference for a particularentertainment category to name but a few.

The example processes and methods described herein may be implemented ona computer system, which can be, for example, a mainframe computer,minicomputer, workstation, personal computer, a web computer, a thinclient, and/or an Internet appliance.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of a computerized method 450, in accordancewith an example embodiment, for presenting media content to a pluralityof viewer devices and processing awards associated with the mediacontent. It will be noted that the various operations shown in themethod 450 correspond to at least some of the operations shown in theinteraction diagram 350 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B).

As shown at block 452, the method 452 may comprise hostingelectronically a visual representation that facilitates playing mediacontent (e.g., at least one from a plurality of advertising videos orsequences of static image works) during a communication session with aperson. The communication of the media content may be via a website anddisplayed using a browser, a telephone network for display on atelephone, a television network (e.g., cable or satellite) for displayon a television (interactive television or otherwise). As shown at block454, the method 450 may comprise receiving a first signal identifying arequest to play media content (e.g., the advertisement video works or asequence of static images). This first signal may represent a logon(e.g., see communication 340 in the interaction diagram 350) to thevisual presentation website or program, or a request signal from theviewer already logged on the site, to play the media content. In anexample embodiment, in response to this logon, the system 400 maypresent a customized visual presentation for the user/viewer identifiedby the logon.

Thereafter, as shown in block 456, the method 450 may initiatepresentation of a first advertisement media component (e.g., a firstadvertising video or a sequence of static images work) in response tothe first signal (e.g., see communication 344 in the interaction diagram350). As noted, the media content could be prerecorded or be a live feedor a live performance or an advertisement dynamically generated. Asmentioned above, the advertisement media database 104 may include aplurality of advertisement media components provided by one or moreadvertising agencies. Referring to FIG. 1, in an example embodiment, thelive feed may be communicated to the interactive or viewing devices viathe communication network 54.

As shown in block 358, one or more second signals representing that aviewer is viewing or has completed viewing the first advertisement mediacomponent may be received (e.g., may be received by the system 400).This second signal may be in response to the viewer clicking on a mouseor a television remote control, or providing some other electronicindication that the viewer is present and viewing the advertisementmedia components. In an example embodiment, each different second signalreceived represents that the viewer is viewing a given advertisementmedia component at different discrete times during the playing of theadvertisement media component. The system 400 may be configured to onlycontinue playing the advertisement video work or advancing to the nextframe in the sequence of static images if an appropriate second signalis received.

The method 450 also comprises operating a first electronic process toaward a sweepstakes entry when one or more first criteria are metrelated to receiving the one or more second signals (see block 460 and,for example, the operation 342 in FIG. 12A).

For example, the first criterion may comprise a requirement to receive asecond signal every ten seconds throughout the playing of theadvertisement media component to indicate that the viewer is continuingto watch the advertisement media component before a sweepstakes entry isawarded. Alternatively, the first criterion could comprise requiring apredetermined number of second signals to be received before asweepstakes entry is awarded. The first criteria may comprise receivinga second signal from the viewer at the end of the advertising visual.Alternatively, the first criterion may comprise awarding a sweepstakesentry on the receipt of every second signal. Additionally, there may bea selection of a first criterion to be used with a particular viewerbased on the profile of the viewer or based on demographics of theviewer, such as the age or income or geographic location of the viewer,or based on a number of communications sessions with this particularviewer. The particular one or more first criteria used is not limitingon the example embodiments.

Alternatively, the method 450 may comprise operating a second electronicprocess to generate a notice of an award when one or more secondcriteria relating to viewing by the viewer is met (see also block 460).The second criterion may comprise a random award only requiring that theviewer be viewing or have just completed viewing an advertising visual.Alternatively, the second criterion could comprise generating the noticeof an award after a given number of advertisement media components havebeen viewed, or after a given amount of time has elapsed. Additionally,there may be a selection of a second criterion to use for a particularviewer based on the profile of the viewer or based on demographics ofthe viewer, such as the age or income or geographic location of theviewer, or based on a number of communications sessions with thisparticular viewer. The second criterion used are not limiting on theexample embodiments. The award allocation module 116 (see FIG. 2) may,for example, perform the operations in block 460.

In an example embodiment, the system 400 could operate both the firstelectronic process to award, when the one or more first criteria are metrelated to receiving the one or more second signals, one or moresweepstakes entries, and the second electronic process to generate, whenthe at least one second criterion relating to viewing by the viewer ismet, a notice of an award of a prize.

In a further embodiment, the method 450 comprises performing a thirdelectronic process to cause a second advertisement media component to bepresented only if at least a third criterion related to receiving theone or more second signals is met. In an example embodiment, the thirdcriterion is that one of the second signals received was generated at aconclusion of playing the first advertisement media component. Thus, inan example embodiment, the system 400 does not play the next advertisingvisual unless there are second signals received indicating that theviewer has watched the entire first advertising visual. This thirdcriterion could alternatively comprise requiring receipt of secondsignals indicating a particular desired viewing pattern. Alternativelyor in addition, there may be a selection of a third criterion to be usedwith a particular viewer based on the profile of the viewer or based ondemographics of the viewer, such as the age or income or geographiclocation of the viewer, or based on a number of communications sessionswith this particular viewer, to name but a few.

In a further example embodiment, where the method 450 performs the firstelectronic process of awarding one or more sweepstakes entries based onreceiving the one or more second signals, the operation of providing avisual presentation of a visual indicator showing a running tally ofsweepstakes entries awarded to the viewer or showing a link thereto isperformed. By way of example, a dashboard or other display may beprovided in a corner of the screen indicating the running tally ofsweepstakes entries awarded to the viewer (e.g., the award indicator 256shown in the GUI 250 (see FIG. 8)).

In a further example embodiment, where the method 450 performs one orboth of the first electronic process and the second electronic process,the operation of providing in the visual presentation a visual indicatorshowing one or more recent awards of sweepstakes or prizes to one ormore third parties or a link thereto is performed.

A dashboard or other display may be provided in a corner of the screenindicating the award. Demographics on the recipients of the sweepstakesor awards may be provided, and actual awardee identities may be listedwhere appropriate permissions have been obtained. In an exampleembodiment, awards received by users in a friends list (e.g., the “MYFRIENDS LIST” shown in display area 254—see FIG. 8) may be displayed inthe dashboard or any other graphical user interface.

In a further example embodiment, an electronic process may be run todetermine a sequence of advertisement media components to be shown to aparticular viewer based on a fourth criterion. In an example embodiment,the fourth criterion is a number of times the viewer has logged in tothe system 400 (or the media system 100) and viewed advertisementvisuals. In another example embodiment the fourth criterion comprisesexcluding advertisement media components that have been played for theviewer during a time period. In a further example embodiment, the fourthcriterion is based on a level of payment by each of the respectiveadvertisers for particular time slots for presentation of theirrespective advertisement media components. In yet a further exampleembodiment, the fourth criterion is based on whether a particular numberof viewings of the advertisement media components contracted by theadvertising company have been attained.

In a further example embodiment, an electronic process may be run togenerate a rotation of advertisement media components of differentadvertisers. The rotation may begin at different advertisement mediacomponents at every logon by the same viewer during a period.

In a further example embodiment, the electronic operations are performedof generating and presenting or having presented visually or aurally arequest to the viewer to generate the one or more second signals. Forexample, text may be set to appear on the viewer's screen or theviewer's interactive device (e.g., computer) may generate a beep at aparticular point in the advertisement media component to indicate thatit is time for the viewer to initiate the second signal, for example byclicking the mouse on the viewer's computer or other appliance.

In the an example embodiment where the second electronic process isperformed and a notice of an award is presented to the viewer, themethod 450 may further include facilitating, during the communicationsession, an electronic method for accepting the award, and crediting theaward to the user only if a signal is received within a period of timein which to accept the award. In one implementation, the electronicmethod for accepting the award may comprise placing an acceptance buttonor other icon on a display screen that may be clicked by a viewer toaccept the award (e.g., see also communication 347 and 366 in theinteraction diagram 350). For example, a Java applet could be includedin an HTML page and the applet code could be transferred to the viewer'scomputer browser and executed. The electronic operation of facilitatingcrediting the award to the viewer may comprise awarding a prize orproviding data to a fulfillment operation to award the prize only if anacceptance signal is received from the viewer's computer within apredetermined period of time.

In an example embodiment where the second electronic process isperformed, the second criterion may comprise receiving a predeterminednumber of second communications from the viewer. Alternatively, thesecond criterion may comprise randomly awarding a prize during acommunication session with the viewer. In a further example embodiment,the second criterion may comprise making a random award of the prizeonly during the presentation of an advertisement media component.Alternatively, the second criterion may comprise making a random awardof a prize only after the presentation of an advertisement mediacomponent. Alternatively, the second criterion may be varied/changed ona random or periodic basis.

In a further example embodiment, the method 450 may comprise receivingelectronically a designation of a charity to receive the award, andfacilitating crediting of the award to the charity. The receiving of thedesignation of a charity may comprise receiving a selection of a charityfrom a charity list in a menu or receiving a charity input designationfrom the viewer (e.g., see the display area 280 in FIG. 9). Theelectronic operation of facilitating award of the prize could compriseawarding the prize or providing data to a fulfillment operation to awardthe prize. In an example embodiment, the award processing module 118 mayprocess the fulfillment of the award.

In an example embodiment where the first electronic process isperformed, the first electronic process may be configured to monitor forsecond signals received during the presentation of one of theadvertisement media components. The first criterion used in this processmay comprise awarding a sweepstakes entry only if a second signal isreceived every five seconds during the playing of the advertisementmedia components. Alternatively, the first criterion could comprise onlyawarding a sweepstakes entry if a second signal is receivedsubstantially at a time of completion of the presentation of the mediacomponents.

Alternatively, the first process may comprise the electronic operationof generating a sequence of advertisement media components that play fordifferent lengths of time and the first criterion may comprisefacilitating an award of a sweepstakes entry only if a second signal isreceived substantially at a time of completion of the presentation ofthe given advertisement media components.

In a further example embodiment, a computer is programmed to terminate acommunication session with the viewer after a period of time of viewinghas lapsed. By way of example, the communication session may beterminated on a random basis, or on a periodic basis, or after apredetermined time has elapsed, to name but a few.

As mentioned above, one or more entertainment media components may beinterspersed with the one or more advertisement media components duringa communication session presented to a viewer. In an example embodiment,the entertainment and the advertisement media components may bedisplayed together in different parts of a viewer's screen. The term“entertainment session” should be interpreted broadly, and may compriseentertainment video works, live feeds, video streaming, connections togames, interactive sites, online computing including cloud computing, toname but a few. An entertainment session may comprise a sequence ofdisplaying one or more entertainment media components. The term“interspersing” should be interpreted broadly, and may comprise placingan entertainment media component after every advertisement mediacomponent, (e.g., see the video stream 130 shown in FIG. 3) or afterevery second advertisement media component, or after a prescribed time,or based on any other criterion, to name but a few.

In an example embodiment where entertainment sessions are electronicallyinterspersed with or played at the same time as the advertisement mediacomponents during a viewing session, the method 450 may includerequesting the viewer to select one or more of the entertainment mediacomponents for presentation during the communication session. By way ofexample, this operation may be accomplished by the presenting a menu orindex of available entertainment media categories and/or entertainmentmedia components that may be selected. By clicking or otherwiseindicating a selection of one of the entertainment categories, theentertainment media components from the selected entertainment categorymay be interspersed with advertisement media components and streamed tothe viewing device (e.g., the interactive device 52). In an exampleembodiment, the viewer may select individual entertainment mediacomponents that may then be interspersed with advertisement mediacomponents and streamed to a viewing device. It should be appreciatedthat the advertisement media components may include video and/or asequence of static images, and the advertisement media components may beinterspersed or played at the same time in any desired combination.

In a further example embodiment relating to the interspersing or playingtogether the entertainment and advertisement media components, themethod 450 may comprise determining a number of times an entertainmentmedia component is played by the system 400 or 50, and an award may thenbe calculated based on a number of times the particular entertainmentmedia component work is played.

In a further example embodiment relating to the interspersing or playingtogether entertainment media and advertisement media components, anoperation is provided of presenting a selectable list of well knownpersons, by way of example, via a pull down menu or index, and receivingelectronically a selection of one of the well-known persons on theselectable list. Thereafter, one or more entertainment associated withthe well-known person may then be communicated to the viewer device. Theterm “well known person” is intended to include a film or televisionstar, a sports star, a music star, a celebrity, a politician, to namebut a few. In a further example embodiment, the operations may beprovided of accumulating during a period, for each well-known person, anumber of times they were selected in the visual presentation by one ormore viewers. In an example embodiment, the award processing module 118may calculate an award based on the number of times the well-knownperson was selected during the period. In an example embodiment, thisaward could be designated for a charity. A further operation may beincluded of sending or having sent the award to the designated charity(e.g., using the award processing module 118).

In an example embodiment, the method 450 may include providing a controlarrangement to allow the viewer to skip one or more of the advertisementmedia components. By way of example, this may be accomplished using theGUI 250 shown in FIG. 8. In an example embodiment, a Java applet couldbe included in an HTML page and the applet code could be transferred tothe viewer's computer browser and executed.

In an example embodiment, the method 450 may include presenting aselectable list of advertising subjects, for example via a menu orindex. The system 400 or 100 may then receive a selection of one of theadvertising subjects or a selection of a specific advertisement mediacomponent from a viewer device. For example, the menu of subjects mayinclude product types, service types, movies or other entertainmentadvertisements, vacations, games, to name but a few. After receiving theselection, advertising media components associated with the selectionmay be communicated to the viewer device that may then play theadvertisement media components.

In a further example embodiment, a method is provided to allow a viewerto request additional information about a product or service or link toan appropriate website related to the product or service that is thesubject of the advertisement media component. In an example embodiment,the requesting of more information could comprise placing a button orother icon on the screen that may be clicked by a viewer to send arequest for more information, or to link the viewer to a website relatedto the product or service. For example, a Java applet could be includedin an HTML page and the applet code could be transferred to the viewer'scomputer browser and executed. When a communication is receivedidentifying a request for additional information about an advertisementvideo media component during a viewing session, an appropriateelectronic action may be taken based on the request, such as presentingone or more web information pages or linking to an appropriate website.In some example embodiments, the request may be logged in a database(e.g., the management database 108). Data about the viewer may beprovided to an advertiser, making an additional charge to the advertiserbased on the request, or facilitating communication between theadvertiser and the viewer, to name but a few.

In a further example embodiment, the method 450 may comprise presentinga selectable list of interactive games during a communication session tobe interspersed or played at the same time as the advertisement mediacomponent. This example embodiment may further include receiving asignal indicating a selection of one of the interactive games, andpresenting directly, or via a link, the one interactive game during thecommunication session interspersed or at the same time as theadvertisement video media components. In a further enhancement of thisexample embodiment, the method 450 may include receiving one or morethird signals representing an interaction, or results of an interaction,with the selected interactive game. For example, the third signals mayindicate a threshold score from the game, e.g., scoring 100 pts. Whenthe threshold score is achieved or exceeded, an award (e.g., moresweepstakes entries, money, special service at a car dealership, a tripto attend a game, free game participation minutes, to name but a few)based in part on receiving the one or more third signals and/or the oneor more second signals. For example, the systems 50, 400 may includeserver (e.g., implement the media system 100) may be programmed to issuepoints for playing a game or awarding a prize only after the viewer haswatched a specified number of ads, as evidenced by the receipt of thesecond signals. The award processing module 118 may control crediting ofthe awards.

In yet a further example embodiment, the method 450 may obtaininformation indicating one or more demographics of the person viewingthe media content. By way of example, this demographic information couldbe obtained by accessing a stored profile of the viewer, or by sending arequest to another server to obtain the information. This exampleembodiment may further include selecting at least some of theadvertisement media components based on the one or more demographics ofthe viewer.

In a further example embodiment, the method 450 allows a viewer tosubmit a rating for one of the advertisement media components. A server(e.g., the media system 100) may then rate the advertisement mediacomponent based on the feedback received from the viewer. In an exampleembodiment, other advertisement media components may be selected forcommunication to the viewer based on this rating information. The servermay forward the rating information from the at least one viewer to thecreator or sponsor of the advertisement media component. In a furtherexample embodiment, information relating to the same advertisement mediacomponent received electronically from other viewers in othercommunication sessions may be sorted and aggregated. Informationrelating to the sorted individual ratings may then be sent to theprovider of the advertisement media component, or displayed on a webpageassociated with the provider (or advertisement creator).

In an example embodiment, the method 450 may comprise accessingelectronically a profile of the viewer, obtaining from the profile anidentification of at least one media component, obtaining electronicallyat least one scene or still image from the media component, andpresenting the media component to the viewer during a communicationsession with the viewer. The media component may be a movie, televisionprogram or the like viewed by the viewer or referenced in the profile.The media component may also be some other entertainment work such as abook.

The method 450 may include receiving a membership list from anorganization (e.g., a chess club, a bridge club, a knitting club, aninvestment club, a fantasy sports league, or the like) and monitoringviewing sessions of persons who are members of the organization. Themethod 450 may then monitor when members of the organization view one ormore advertisement media components and credit the organization with anaward (e.g., using the award allocation module 116). For example, theaward may comprise an amount of money based on the number ofadvertisement media components viewed by members of the club or league,etc. The method 450 may include accumulating and sorting, electronicallyper advertiser, viewings by persons of advertisement media components.

Permission may be received from one or more persons to allow directcommunication between an advertiser and the respective person. Thepermission may be received electronically or by the receipt of a mail-incard granting such permission. In an example embodiment, the mediasystem 100 may facilitate obtaining the aforementioned permissions.

FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of a further method 500, in accordance with anexample embodiment, for presenting media content to a plurality ofviewer devices (e.g., the interactive devices 52) and processing rewardsassociated with the media content.

As shown at block 502, the method 500 comprises facilitating and makingavailable for playing at least one of a plurality of advertisement mediacomponents during a communication session with a viewer. Theadvertisement media components may be advertisement video works or asequence of static images. Thereafter, as shown at block 504, the method500 comprises receiving a first signal that indicated a request to playone of the advertisement media components. This first signal mayrepresent a log-on to the system 50, 400 via a web interface, or arequest signal from the viewer to play one of the advertisement mediacomponents, or other appropriate signal indicating that theadvertisement media components should commence.

Presentation of a first advertisement media component may then beinitiated in response to the first signal (see block 506). One or moresecond signals representing that a person is viewing, or has completedviewing, the first advertisement media component may be received (seeblock 508). This second signal may be in response to the viewer clickingon a mouse or a television remote control, or providing some otherelectronic indication that the viewer is present and viewing theadvertisement media components. In an example embodiment, each differentsecond signal received represents that the person is viewing a givenadvertisement media component at a different discrete time.

As shown in block 510, the method 500 may include performing a firstelectronic process to award a sweepstakes entry when one or more firstcriteria related to receiving the one or more second signals are met. Inan example embodiment, the award processing module 116 may process thesweepstakes entry.

A notice of an award of a prize may be generated as shown in block 512.The notice may be displayed to the user via the award indicator 256shown in the GUI 250. In an example embodiment, the awarding of theprize is based on if one or more second criteria relating to viewing bythe person is met.

As shown in block 514, one or more entertainment sessions (e.g.,including one or more entertainment media components) may beinterspersed with the one or more advertisement media components duringa communication session. It will be appreciated that this operation maybe included in the operations shown in block 506.

In view of the above, a variety of different example embodiments may beimplemented. For example, a visual presentation could be provided to aviewer for a specified period of time, such as one minute, withsweepstakes entries and/or prizes awarded for viewing during thisspecified period. Advertisers could provide daily/weekly specials thatare provided to website viewers or members. A viewer may place an orderfor a special by clicking through, or completing, a web form on apresentation site. In a further example embodiment, an online “shoppingcenter” may be implemented and associated with or linked to the systems50, 400.

In a further example embodiment an entertainment session, during whichone or more entertainment media components are presented, may provideaccess to a gossip/trivia site. In addition or instead, a link to agossip/trivia site may be provided via a graphical user interface (e.g.,the GUI 250 shown in FIG. 8). The entertainment session may compriseaccess to a one or more blogs. In an example embodiment, a link to oneor more blogs is provided via a graphical user interface (e.g., the GUI250). Such blogs may include blogs for celebrities or a viewer's blogmembers can communicate with selected celebrities or among themselves.

In an example embodiment, the systems 50, 400 may provide host emailaccounts and/or provide instant messaging (IM) functionality.Accordingly, in order to attend to email or IM communications, a logonto a website hosted by the systems 50, 400 may be required thereby beingexposed to the media content provided by the systems 50, 400.

In a further example embodiment, when a viewer signs up with the mediasystem (e.g., the media system 100), and provides their birth date, theviewers horoscope may be provided, for example, as a pop-up window, oras part of an entertainment session. The horoscope, in an exampleembodiment, may pop up automatically upon the member's firstsign-in/log-on for a 24 hour period, or alternatively, could be sent totheir e-mail account.

In an embodiment a side bar or other display window could be displayedwhen a member/viewer signs up or logs-on, displaying the weather fortheir location. The weather for the viewer's location may be determinedbased on the city and state of residence of the viewer, or based on IPaddress location. By way of example, the presentation site could presenta “sidebar” on a viewer's customized homepage with the daily weather fortheir area. Alternatively, the weather could be sent to their emailaddress. Alternatively, a live Doppler feed may be presented on theviewer's customized page.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of yet a further method 520, in accordancewith an example embodiment, for presenting media content to a pluralityof viewer devices and processing rewards associated with the mediacontent. The method 520 may be deployed in the media system 100 and,accordingly, is described by way of example with reference thereto. Inparticular one or more of the interactive devices 52 may perform themethod 520.

As shown at block 522, an electronic control command may be sent toinitiate a communication session with a media system (e.g., the mediasystem 100). For example, an interactive device 52 may send acommunication to the media system 100 to provide a graphical userinterface (e.g., the GUI 200 shown in FIG. 7) to logon to a websitehosted by the media system 100. Thereafter, as shown in block 524, afirst signal may be sent by the interactive device 52 to the mediasystem 100 identifying that the user has requested playing of anadvertisement media component (e.g., an advertisement video work or asequence of static images). In addition or instead, the first signalsent by the interactive device 52 may identify that the user hasrequested playing of entertainment media components (e.g., using the GUI200).

In response to the first signal, the media system 100 may then generatea media session comprising media content including advertisement andentertainment media components. As shown by way of example in FIG. 3,the media content may be streamed to the interactive device 52 in thevideo stream 130 to the interactive device 52 for viewing by a user.Accordingly, as shown in block 526 the method 520 may comprise receivingpresentation (e.g., the video stream 130) of a first media component(e.g., an advertisement video work or a sequence of static images) inresponse to the first signal. Thereafter, as shown in block 528 one ormore second signals representing that a person is viewing, or hascompleted viewing, the first advertisement media component may becommunicated from the interactive device 52 to the media system 100. Themedia system 100 may then make a determination as to whether or not theviewer has won an award for viewing the media content. In an exampleembodiment, the award allocation module 116 may make this determination.When an award is allocated, the interactive device 52 may then receivean award of one or more sweepstakes entries (see block 530). The awardmay be allocated when one or more first criteria are met related tosending the one or more second signals, or a notice of an award of aprize when at least one-second criterion relating to viewing by theperson is met.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of yet a further method 540, in accordancewith an example embodiment, for presenting media content to a pluralityof viewer devices and processing rewards associated with the mediacontent. The method 540 may be deployed in the system 50 and,accordingly, is described by way of example with reference thereto.

As shown at block 542, the method 540 may include hosting electronically(e.g., via a web server) a visual presentation that facilitatespresenting media content in the form of one or more from a plurality ofmulti-page advertisements during a communication session with a person.The plurality of multi-page advertisements may form part of an onlinemagazine.

The method 540 may include one or more graphical user interface thatallows a user to logon to enter requests for viewing pages of the onlinemagazine. For example, as shown at block 544, method 540 may includereceiving (e.g., at the media system 100) a first signal from a remoteinteractive device 52 and requesting a first page of a multi-pageadvertisement. Thereafter, the method 540 may include initiatingpresentation of a first page of the multi-page advertisement in responseto the first signal (see block 546). For example, the media system 100may retrieve advertisement media components from the advertisementdatabase 104, retrieve entertainment media components from theentertainment database 106 and generate a video stream for communicationto the interactive media device 52. In an example embodiment, the mediastream may be generated in response to user input via a graphical userinterface similar to the GUI 200.

The method 540 may then monitor whether or not the user is payingattention to the media content being displayed on the interactive device52. For example, as shown in block 548, the method 540 may includereceiving electronically one or more second signals to advance to a nextpage in the multi-page advertisement. In an example embodiment, one ormore second signals may be received that indicate that the viewer hascompleted viewing the multi-page advertisement.

As shown in block 550, the method 540 may include performing a firstelectronic process to allocate an award (e.g., using the awardprocessing module 118) when one or more first criteria related toreceiving the one or more second signals are met. The award may, forexample, include one or more sweepstakes entries. A second electronicprocess may be executed to generate a notice of an award of a prize whenat least one-second criterion relating to viewing by the person is met(e.g., see the award indicator 256 in FIG. 8). As mentioned above, themedia content may be shared via a social network with one or morefriends and any awards that may be won can be apportioned (e.g., seedisplay area 280 in FIG. 9).

In an example embodiment related to the online magazine, the magazinepresentation may set up to work as a regular magazine with the viewerturning pages by performing an electronic function. The method 540 maymake the viewer eligible for a jackpot and/or an instant reward wheneither clicking on one or more pages of an advertisement sequence ofpages and/or clicking on content. The viewer may also click foradditional information on a displayed advertisement. When a viewerclicks to obtain additional information, the user may be entered intoanother opportunity for the sweepstakes or be eligible for an instantprize or a discount on the advertised product or service.

The media content presented to the viewer may be a combination offeed(s) from the Internet, feed(s) for television show or any other feedproviding media content.

In an example embodiment, the systems 50, 400 are configured so that auser may select (e.g., click on using a mouse) media content (e.g.,advertisement media content and/or entertainment media content) that maythen be associated with the user's homepage, downloaded to a user'sinteractive device 52, or stored in any other repository that the usermay then access at his or her convenience.

In an example embodiment, the system 50, 400 (e.g., using the mediasystem 100) may include software and hardware to allow a user to selectand combine media content to provide personalized media content. Forexample, the software and hardware may host a website that provide datastorage and editing functionality to allow a user to compile an onlinescrapbook. Thus, in an example embodiment, the user may electronicallycompile an electronic scrapbook of articles of any content, videos,static sequences of content, selected by the participant, and arrangedin a scrapbook format. Such an electronic scrapbook may be stored at aserver or sent to other convenient storage, such as the viewer'srepository. For example, the user management module 120 (see FIG. 2) mayfacilitate compilation of the scrapbook and store the scrapbook in themanagement database 108. This creation and compilation of a scrapbookfor the viewer may be done for a fee.

Additionally, example embodiments including the online magazinefunctionality, as well as any of the other example embodiments, mayinclude the further feature of providing programming to electronicallyselect advertisement media components based on the user's age, location,gender demographics and/or other information. Thus, in an exampleembodiment, the media content for a particular user may be selectedbased on one or more criteria. For example, selection of new content maybe based on the media content (e.g., advertisements media content and/orentertainment media content) already viewed by the user, or based onwhich media content the viewer has clicked through, or based on thenumber of times the user has accessed an online magazine in a given timeperiod. In addition or instead, the selection of new media content maybe based on a viewer selection identifying content of interest or anumber of viewings paid for by the advertiser.

In an example online magazine embodiment, a homepage may be providedthat can be customized to alert the viewer of media content (e.g.,advertisement and/or entertainment media components) of particularinterest to a particular viewer. This feature may further include thefacilitation of electronic alerts regarding the availability of suchmedia content. Such alerts may be sent to an interactive device 52associated with the user (e.g., sent to a cell phone, personal digitalassistant (PDA), computer, or the like).

As mentioned above, in an example embodiment the user may skip viewingof one or more media components (e.g., see the GUI 250 shown in FIG. 8).In an example embodiment, the system 50, 400 may be configured to removethe user from eligibility for a jackpot, for receiving an instant prize,or from receiving one or more sweepstakes entries if the viewer skipsone or more advertisement media components. The user may be providedwith an option to click a button (e.g., via the SKIP button 258.5) atthe beginning, or during presentation of the advertisement mediacomponent, if they wish to skip it. If they skip viewing anadvertisement media component, in an example embodiment, the user maynot be informed whether they have changed a pattern (random orotherwise) of distribution of instant prizes due to this skippingaction. In another embodiment, the viewer may be shown a visualindication of how the pattern or algorithm for awarding instant prizeshas been changed by their action. In an example embodiment, the system50, 400 may be configured so that skipping viewing of an advertisementmedia component may not change the chances of winning an award. Thus,skipping a current advertisement media component may lead to a nextmedia component announcing a prize, or it may lead to anotheradvertisement or entertainment media component. In an exampleembodiment, the user will not know whether they have or will be awardedone or more entries in the sweepstakes or will be awarded a prize untilthey have viewed the advertisement or skipped it.

As mentioned above, in an example embodiment, the user can skip viewingadvertisement and/or entertainment media components by clicking/making aselection at the start of the media component or any time during theviewing of a media component. In an example embodiment, a viewingsession of the user may be terminated (and, optionally, blocked fromlogging back in on the same day) if a threshold number of advertisementmedia components are skipped, for example, a threshold number out of thetotal number of advertisement media components presented.

As shown in the GUI 250, in some example embodiments controls may beprovided to allow a user to navigate through media content. For example,a graphical user interface including a scroll bar for scrolling forwardor backward, and navigation buttons providing fast forward, slow, skipforward, and other functionality. These controls may allow a user todetermine the media components he or she wants to watch and jump aheador skip through media components the user does not want to watch.However, if the users actions indicate that he is not watching at leasta threshold percentage or number of advertisement media components, theuser's session may be terminated. Clicking a button to go to a nextmedia component or some other action may be required to show that theuser is paying attention.

In an example online magazine embodiment, identification of the exactonline magazine page that the viewer was viewing when he/she signed offof a website may be recorded. When the user, logs in to the website at alater time or date, the user may be returned the exact page he or shewas viewing at sign-off. This operation may be programmed to beperformed automatically upon log-in, or based on a viewer selection ofan option to be taken back to this page.

In an example online magazine embodiment, the user may view the onlinemagazine for as long as they choose. Accordingly, the user's access maynot be terminated after a determined time period or based on acriterion.

In a further feature, the online magazine system may be programmed toselect advertisement media components may be presented randomly before,during, or after the presentation of entertainment media components.

In an example embodiment, the media content may include awards concealedwithin the advertisement. In order to claim the award, the user may thenbe required to use a pointing device (e.g., a mouse) to select theconcealed award (e.g., click on a bumper of a truck to claim a prizewhere the concealed prize is located on the bumper).

In a further feature which may be added to either the online magazinesystem and/or the video system, programming may be included to kick theviewer off the site or program, e.g., terminate the session with theviewer, and not allow the viewer back for a set period of time or untilanother criterion is met, if the viewer has skipped one or more videos,advertisements or entertainment content, in whatever form, or skippedvideos, advertisements or entertainment content for a certain amount oftime.

FIG. 19 shows a computer device 600, in accordance with an exampleembodiment, for performing any one or more of the methodologiesdescribed herein. The computer system 600 includes a bus 602 or othercommunication mechanisms for communicating information, and a processor604 coupled to the bus 602 for processing information. The computersystem 600 also includes a main memory 606, such as a random accessmemory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 602 forstoring information and instructions to be executed by the processor604. The main memory 606 may also be used for storing temporaryvariables or other intermediate information during execution ofinstructions by the processor 604. The computer system 600 furtherincludes a read only memory (ROM) 608 or other static storage devicecoupled to the bus 602 for storing static information and instructionsfor the processor 604. A storage device 610, such as a magnetic disk oroptical disk, is also provided and coupled to the bus 602 for storinginformation and instructions.

The computer system 600 may be coupled via the bus 602 to a display 612,for displaying information to a computer user. An input device 614,including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus 602 forcommunicating information and command selections to the processor 604.Another example user input device is a cursor control 616, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating directioninformation and command selections to the processor 604 and forcontrolling cursor movement on the display 612.

An example embodiment is related to the use of the computer system 600programmed to perform the processing as described by way of exampleherein. The processor 604 may execute one or more sequences of one ormore instructions loaded from the main memory 606. Such instructions mayalso be obtained from another computer-readable medium, such as thestorage device 610. Execution of the sequences of instructions causesthe processor 604 to perform the process steps described herein. The oneor more processors may be configured in a multi-processing arrangement.In alternative example embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used inplace of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement themethodologies described by way of example herein. Thus, exampleembodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example embodimentsmay be practiced in network computing environments with many types ofcomputer system configurations, including personal computers, hand-helddevices, mobile telephones, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, to name but a few. The exampleembodiments may also be deployed in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by local and remote processing devices thatare linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, or by acombination of hardwired or wireless links) through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In a networked environment, the computer may operate using logicalconnections to one or more other computers having processors. Logicalconnections may include a local area network (LAN) and a wide areanetwork (WAN) that are presented here by way of example and notlimitation. Such networking environments are commonplace in office-wideor enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets (a network belonging toan organization, usually a corporation, accessible only by theorganization's members, employees, or others with authorization). Likethe Internet itself, intranets are used to share information.

To facilitate this communication, the computer system 600 also includesa communication interface 618 coupled to the bus 602. The communicationinterface 618 provides a two-way data communication coupling to anetwork link 620 that is connected to a local network 622. For example,the communication interface 618 may be an integrated services digitalnetwork (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communicationconnection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As anotherexample, the communication interface 618 may be a local area network(LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatibleLAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation,the communication interface 618 may send and receive electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streamsrepresenting various types of information.

Accordingly, the network link 620 may provide the capability for datacommunication through one or more networks to other data devices. Forexample, the network link 620 may provide a connection through the localarea network 622 to one or more host computers 624 or to data equipmentoperated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 626. The ISP 626, inturn, provides data communication services through the worldwide packetdata communication network, now commonly referred to as the “Internet”628. The local network 622 and the Internet 628 both use electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. Thetype of network link is not limiting on the example embodiments.

The computer system 600 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), the network link 620, and thecommunication interface 618. If the Internet is used, a computer server630 might transmit requested code for an application program through theInternet 628, the ISP 626, the local area network 622 and thecommunication interface 618. In accordance with an example embodiment,one such downloaded application may provide for processing as describedherein. The processor 604 may execute the code as it is received, and/orstore it in storage device 610, or other non-volatile storage for laterexecution.

Example embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure alsoinclude computer-readable media for storing computer-executableinstructions or data structures thereon. Such computer-readable mediacan be any available media, which can be accessed by a general purposeor special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store desiredprogram code in the form of computer-executable instructions or datastructures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer. The computer-executable instructions may comprise, forexample, instructions and data which configure a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. Computer-executableinstructions may also be properly termed “software” as known by those ofskill in the art.

Program code or software includes one or more program modules and may bestored on the hard disk, magnetic disk, optical disk, ROM or RAM, andmay include an operating system, one or more application or softwareprograms, other program modules, and program data. In some exampleembodiments, the program(s) may be deployed and accessible on theInternet and operate within Web browsers.

Example embodiments have been described in the general context ofmethods which may be implemented in an example embodiment by a programproduct including machine-executable instructions, such as program code,for example in the form of program modules executed by machines innetworked environments. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular data types. Multi-threadedapplications may be used, for example, based on Java or C++.Machine-executable instructions, associated data structures, and programmodules represent examples of program code for executing the methodsdisclosed herein. It should be noted that the operations described withrespect to the various example embodiments may be combined in a varietyof different ways. The present disclosure encompasses any and all waysof combining these operations into a process.

It should be noted that although the flow charts provided herein show aspecific order of method steps or operations, it is understood that theorder of these steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Suchvariation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and ondesigner choice. It is understood that all such variations are withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Likewise, software and webimplementations of the example embodiments could be accomplished withprogramming techniques with rule based logic and other logic toaccomplish the various database searching steps, correlation steps,comparison steps and decision steps. It should also be noted that theword “module” as used herein and in the claims is intended to encompassimplementations using one or more lines of software code, and/orhardware implementations, and/or manual operations.

While example embodiments have been described in conjunction with theexample embodiments outlined above, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Accordingly, the example embodiments, as set forthabove, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method comprising: interspersing a plurality ofentertainment media components between a plurality of advertisementmedia components to provide viewer media content; causing the viewermedia content to be displayed to a first viewer for viewing; causing agraphical user interface (GUI) to be presented to the first viewer todisplay a plurality friends in a social network of the first viewer;receiving a friend selection, by the first viewer, that identifies aselected friend of the plurality of friends, the selected friendcorresponding to a second viewer; monitoring selection of at least oneadvertisement media component or at least one entertainment mediacomponent by the first viewer using the GUI; sharing the at least oneadvertisement media component or the at least one entertainment mediacomponent selected by the first viewer with the second viewer; and inresponse to the second viewer viewing the selected at least oneadvertisement media component or at least one entertainment mediacomponent, apportioning an award between the first viewer and the secondviewer.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising configuring the GUIfor display on a mobile device, the GUI displaying both the plurality offriends and the media content.
 4. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: presenting a plurality of entertainment categories to thefirst viewer in the GUI; and receiving a selection by the first viewerof a selected entertainment category from the plurality of entertainmentcategories, wherein the plurality of entertainment media componentscorrespond to the selected entertainment category.
 5. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: monitoring interaction between the firstviewer or the second viewer and an advertisement media component; andcausing information on the advertisement media component to be displayedin the event of the first viewer interacting or the second viewerinteracting with the advertisement media component.
 6. The method ofclaim 2, wherein a media provider of the entertainment media componentsand an advertisement provider of the advertisement media components areindependent of the first and second viewers.
 7. The method of claim 2,wherein the plurality of entertainment media components comprise videoworks or a sequence of static images.
 8. The method of claim 2, whereinthe award is a sweepstake entry.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein theGUI provides an option for the first viewer or the second viewer to adesignate a charity to receive the at least a portion of the award. 10.The method of claim 2, wherein the award is generated randomly.
 11. Themethod of claim 2, comprising providing control objects in the GUI toallow the first viewer or the second viewer to skip one or more of theadvertisement media components or entertainment media components. 12.The method of claim 2, comprising: determining a view count identifyinga number of times that a particular entertainment media component isviewed; and determining the award based on the view count.
 13. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the GUI includes a search field, the methodcomprising: receiving search criteria entered via the GUI; searching theentertainment media database to identify entertainment media componentsassociated with the search criteria; and interspersing the associatedentertainment media components between the advertisement mediacomponents.
 14. The method of claim 2, further comprising: obtaininginformation indicating one or more demographics of the first viewer; andselecting at least some of the advertisement media components orentertainment media components based on the one or more demographics.15. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving a viewer ratingfrom the first viewer or the second viewer that is associated with theat least one entertainment media component.
 16. A system comprising:memory to store instructions; and at least one processor to executeinstructions to perform operations comprising: interspersing a pluralityof entertainment media components between a plurality of advertisementmedia components to provide viewer media content; causing the viewermedia content to be displayed to a first viewer for viewing; causing agraphical user interface (GUI) to be presented to the first viewer todisplay a plurality friends in a social network of the first viewer;receiving a friend selection, by the first viewer, that identifies aselected friend of the plurality of friends, the selected friendcorresponding to a second viewer; monitoring selection of at least oneadvertisement media component or at least one entertainment mediacomponent by the first viewer using the GUI; sharing the at least oneadvertisement media component or the at least one entertainment mediacomponent selected by the first viewer with the second viewer; and inresponse to the second viewer viewing the selected at least oneadvertisement media component or at least one entertainment mediacomponent, apportioning an award between the first viewer and the secondviewer.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the GUI is configured fordisplay on a mobile device, the GUI being configured to display both theplurality of friends and the media content.
 18. The system of claim 16,wherein: a plurality of entertainment categories is presented to thefirst viewer in the GUI; and a selection by the first viewer of aselected entertainment category from the plurality of entertainmentcategories is received, and wherein the plurality of entertainment mediaobjects correspond to the selected entertainment category.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein: interaction between the first viewer or thesecond viewer and an advertisement media component is monitored; andinformation on the advertisement media component is provided in theevent of the first viewer interacting or the second viewer interactingwith the advertisement media component.
 20. The system of claim 16,wherein: an advertisement database is accessed to obtain a plurality ofadvertisement media components; and an entertainment database isaccessed to obtain a plurality of entertainment media components.
 21. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructionsthat, when executed by at least one processor, cause the computer toperform operations comprising: interspersing a plurality ofentertainment media components between a plurality of advertisementmedia components to provide viewer media content; causing the viewermedia content to be displayed to a first viewer for viewing; causing agraphical user interface (GUI) to be presented to the first viewer todisplay a plurality friends in a social network of the first viewer;receiving a friend selection, by the first viewer, that identifies aselected friend of the plurality of friends, the selected friendcorresponding to a second viewer; monitoring selection of at least oneadvertisement media component or at least one entertainment mediacomponent by the first viewer using the GUI; sharing the at least oneadvertisement media component or the at least one entertainment mediacomponent selected by the first viewer with the second viewer; and inresponse to the second viewer viewing the selected at least oneadvertisement media component or at least one entertainment mediacomponent, apportioning an award between the first viewer and the secondviewer.